This planet earth

TIM Peake has revealed his concern for planet Earth during an appearance on ITV's This Morning.The British astronaut joined Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield on the This Morning couch to discuss his mission to the International Space Station.Recalling his experience, he told the hosts: "One thing that really struck me is how thin the Earth's atmosphere is."You realise that the only reason we have life on planet earth is because of this tiny strip of our atmosphere."The spaceman added: "And when you see how thin it is, you realise that there's not much of it and we need to look after it."Tim was launched into space in December before coming back to Earth six months later.He told Holly and Phil: "That is the hardest part of being in space - being away from friends and family."Also that you're isolated and not able to support them, but my training in the military helped me to cope with that."Tim has now released a book of pictures taken during his mission, called Hello, is this … [Read more...] about Astronaut Tim Peake reveals his concern for planet Earth on This Morning

THAT juggernaut of television Planet Earth II concluded this week in a finale that was both heartwrenching and inspiring in equal measure.The BBC programme squashed massive shows like Strictly, The X Factor and I’m A Celebrity with its viewing figures — an amazing feat for a natural history documentary.This week on the show I met Mike Gunton, the creative director of the BBC Studios Natural History Unit who is also executive producer of Planet Earth II, to talk about why it has caught the imagination of everyone from kids through to grannies.The show is against everything 2016 seemed to be about and an antidote to the creeping popularisation that pervades our media.It especially struck a chord with young audiences and was trending on Twitter for days on end. It is a programme that is pro-expert, pro-knowledge, environmental and positive.So it would seem that despite a constant drip-feed of celebrity and anti-intellectualism, audiences are crying out for shows such as … [Read more...] about Planet Earth II is out of the world

A DECADE after the first Planet Earth series was filmed, Planet Earth II has arrived on the BBC, with David Attenborough returning to narrate and another score by Hans Zimmer.Here's everything we know about the wildlife series, including THAT harrowing snake/iguana scene.The series began Sunday, November 6, at 8pm on BBC One.The fourth episode, Deserts, will air Sunday 27 November.A new episode will air at the same time each week for six weeks, once an episode airs it will be available to watch on BBC iPlayer for 30 days.The BBC has said that Planet Earth II reveals our planet "from a completely new perspective, using significant advances in both filming technology and our understanding of the natural world."Charlotte Moore, one of the producers, added: "This new series promises to be an extraordinary experience for our audience. Filmed over three years across the globe with all the very latest technology, the series uncovers stories about the natural world we have … [Read more...] about What time is Planet Earth II on tonight, how many episodes are there and what are they about?

BBC1 is well ahead in this year’s ratings war with ITV thanks to Bake Off, Strictly and Planet Earth II.It has broadcast 31 of the top 40 most-watched shows so far in 2016, while just nine came from rival ITV.The BBC's biggest successes include the Bake Off final, which is at number one on the chart with 16 million viewers and has nine of its ten episodes featuring in the top ten most watched list.Meanwhile all but one episode of the natural history series Planet Earth II made the top 40, with the highest episode coming in at ninth on the chart with 13.1 million viewers.But it is Strictly Come Dancing which dominates the list this year, with 13 entries in the top 40, not including the finale, for which full ratings are not yet available.BBC1's coverage of the Euro 2016 final also makes the list, as does the one-off episode of Sherlock shown on New Year's Day.The beeb's content boss Charlotte Moore hailed the figures as evidence that BBC1 "continues to unite us as a nation … [Read more...] about BBC smashes ITV in year’s ratings war thanks to Great British Bake off, Strictly Come Dancing and Planet Earth II

A DECADE after the first Planet Earth series was filmed and Sir David Attenborough has brought back his epic series with the aptly labelled Planet Earth II.Exploring how animals meet the challenges of surviving in the most iconic habitats on earth, the series includes clips which, at times, can be a difficult watch for us humans.None more so than the heart breaking clip of this leopard on the hunt just outside of Mumbai, India.The dramatic scene was all caught on night vision video and, as with the rest of the series, is narrated by Sir David Attenborough.In the harrowing scene the hungry leopard can be seen crouching low and making a stealthy approach towards its prey.He gets very close to the pig before it realised that it is being hunted but rather than go for the large mother, the leopard lunges down beneath her.As the leopard raises its head it becomes clear that it has snatched a baby piglet from underneath the mother.Once its has the baby pig between its jaws the … [Read more...] about Heartbreaking Planet Earth II clip sees Leopard snatch piglet from its mother who chases after the cat to try and save her baby

PLANET Earth faces a "dark future" unless urgent action is taken to halt climate change, IMF chief Christine Lagarde has warned.She said the world would be "toasted, roasted and grilled" unless governments make "critical decisions" on this critical issue within the next 50 years.Lagarde also called for tackling inequality between men and women and countries that are "haves" and those that are "have nots".If the world wants a future that "looks like utopia and not dystopia", it needs to address such concerns, Lagarde said."If we don't address these issues... we will be moving to a dark future," she told a major economic conference in the Saudi capital.In 2015, around 195 nations signed the Paris climate agreement which set out goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, so as to prevent temperatures rising by more than two degrees in around 50 years.But US President Donald Trump announced in June the start of a three-year process to pull out of the pact, arguing that it … [Read more...] about Planet Earth will be ‘toasted and roasted’ by apocalyptic climate change, IMF chief Christine Lagarde warns

THE Yorkshire Ripper has a new best pal in jail — Soham killer Ian Huntley.Peter Sutcliffe, 70, says he and the evil caretaker have become bosom buddies — over a shared love of BBC nat­ure show Planet Earth II.Sutcliffe says he and his new best friend are huge fans of David Attenborough’s hit programme and have long chats about it — even though he is almost completely blind. The 70-year-old serial killer became buddies with Soham murderer Huntley after being transferred to Frankland prison from Broadmoor during the summer.And the ex-school caretaker is now said to be helping him find his way around the prison wing.“I wouldn’t go back to Broadmoor if they gave me a million pounds.“We’ve started watching a lot of documentaries together about ­animals in the wild.“There’s 100 inmates on this wing, that’s where Ian Huntley is — and he’s friendly, you know.“They’ve all been OK, pretty … [Read more...] about Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe bonds with child killer Ian Huntley over David Attenborough’s BBC show Planet Earth II

PLANET Earth is already being lined up for a third instalment – but BBC bosses need to make it quickly to keep 90-year-old Sir David Attenborough on board.The second series of the wildlife documentary has just finished and viewers thought it would probably be the last time they would witness the breath-taking scenes of nature accompanied by Sir David Attenborough's narration.But the show’s bosses are now keen to persuade the naturalist to record another batch of episodes – before he retires.Producer Mike Gunton explained the idea of a third series in the pipeline but, even if the BBC are on board with the recommission, it could take at least a decade to make.Speaking to the Daily Star, Mike explained: "We'd also be crazy to say it will be here in three years or even five years' time. We love working with Sir David and I think he loves working with us, and we want that to last as long as possible.”He went on to reveal that once David no longer wants to be part of … [Read more...] about BBC bosses rush to make third Planet Earth series before Sir David Attenborough retires

PLANET Earth II viewers were stunned tonight as a jaguar took on a gigantic caiman crocodile - and won.Last week fans of the BBC nature show watched in horror as a majestic snow leopard 'raped' a helpless female.This week big cats took centre stage again, with a 21 stone male jaguar attacking a giant caiman croc as it glided near the edge of the river.As it dragged the open-mouthed reptile out of the water, narrator Sir David Attenborough explained the feline knows the "most vulnerable point" of the crocodile - the back of its skull.While impressed by the cats hunting prowess, viewers recoiled in disgust as a loud 'crack' could be heard as the jaguar sank its teeth into the bone.Several took to Twitter to express their admiration - and revulsion.Elsewhere in the episode, a Wilsons Bird of Paradise showed off its iridescent emerald green plume in an attempt to woo its mate.The elaborate display by the colourful creature, described by Attenborough as "the brightest … [Read more...] about Planet Earth 2 viewers stunned as jaguar takes on giant caiman croc – and wins

YOUR eyes are glued to the screen; your fingers dig into the couch and your heart is beating through your chest. No, you’re not watching the latest instalment of Saw but rather BBC’s animal documentary Planet Earth II, where not even Sir David Attenborough’s dulcet voice can comfort you as a baby meerkat is ripped from its mothers tiny arms by a hungry eagle – ok we made that last bit up.But, like it or not, the animal kingdom is cut-throat and this gripping series - now in it’s second season - is only too happy to give us a front row seat.We’ve dug out the most outrageous moments so far.Baby iguana vs. pack of snakesViewers were on the edge of their seat in season two as they watched a freshly hatched iguana make a life or death dash across a valley on Fernandina Island. The sea iguana raced its little heart out as dozens of snakes emerged from the rocks, their tongues licking at the terrified creature’s feet. If you’re one of the … [Read more...] about The craziest moments from BBC hit show Planet Earth II so far…